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View Full Version : U.S. Plans Downsizing in Iraq, Afghanistan



SWJED
12-20-2005, 06:11 AM
20 Dec. Washington Post - U.S. Plans Downsizing in Iraq, Afghanistan (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/19/AR2005121901728.html).


The Defense Department plans to reduce the number of U.S. troops in Afghanistan by about 2,500 over the next few months, a 13 percent drop that will reflect an increasing NATO presence there, officials said yesterday.

The move, which has yet to be finalized, would reduce the number of U.S. forces from 19,000 to about 16,500. Instead of sending the 10th Mountain Division's 4th Brigade to replace the 173rd Airborne Brigade, as planned, the Army instead would send a 1,200-troop task force from the unit, a Pentagon official said yesterday. An announcement of the reduction could come soon.

Officials also said plans to reduce the number of U.S. troops in Iraq are likely to go forward following last week's Iraqi elections, as the U.S. military continues to shift responsibility for security to Iraqi forces. The planned reduction, first reported last month, could bring the number of U.S. troops in Iraq to about 129,000 from a baseline of 138,000. There are approximately 150,000 U.S. troops there now because military strength was increased for the elections.